UK Celebrates National Student-Athlete Day

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 6, 2010) - Hundreds of events around the nation will mark today (April 6), as the 24th annual National Student-Athlete Day, including activities sponsored by the University of Kentucky.

The UK Athletic Association (UKAA) has planned several community service projects throughout the month of April as well as a student-athlete appreciation table in CATS today. Governor Steve Beshear also has issued a proclamation recognizing April 6, 2010, as National Student-Athlete Day in the state of Kentucky.

National Student-Athlete Day honors student-athletes and the network of parents, coaches, teachers and school systems that make it possible for young people to strike a balance between academic and athletic achievement and who use sport as a vehicle for positive social change. The day, established by the National Consortium for Academics & Sports, is co-sponsored by the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Northeastern University's Sport in Society.

President Obama has saluted those involved in National STUDENT-Athlete Day activities. In an open letter acknowledging the day, he wrote, "A healthy balance between sports and academics is essential to ensuring that our students are prepared for the challenges of the future."

Richard Lapchick, Director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, said “Over the last twenty-two years, National STUDENT-Athlete Day has grown to enormous proportions with nearly three million student-athletes being honored nationwide since 1987. It has truly become America’s Day to honor student-athletes.”

Bob Bradley, associate athletics director for student services at UK, said, "This is a wonderful and important tradition. It gives us a chance to show our appreciation and celebrate our student athletes who work hard academically, athletically, and personally."

Bradley added, "It also gives us the opportunity to thank all of the people involved that make it possible for these students to balance academic and athletic pursuits, while also growing as contributors to their community and the larger society."

More information about National Student-Athlete Day is available at www.nsad.cc.